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Joint security mechanism is for FDLR, not M23 – Nduhungirehe dismisses Muyaya’s claim

In a recent interview on Top Congo FM, Muyaya stated that the withdrawal of the M23 rebels would be carried out in the same spirit as the Joint Security Coordination Mechanism (JSCM), established under the Washington Peace Agreement of June 27, 2025, on dismantling the FDLR militia group.

However, in a post on X, Minister Nduhungirehe termed Muyaya’s remarks as a “blatant disinformation” aimed at misleading the Congolese public.

Nduhungirehe clarified that the JSCM is a strictly bilateral mechanism between Rwanda and the DRC, responsible only for neutralising the genocidal FDLR group and overseeing the lifting of Rwanda’s defensive security measures along the border with the DRC.

According to the minister, the AFC/M23 rebel group is not covered by the mechanism, neither in its wording nor in its spirit.

Unlike the JSCM’s mandate, which focuses on the “neutralisation” of a cross-border security threat and the lifting of related defensive measures, Nduhungirehe said the issue of the M23 will be resolved through political dialogue.

The dialogue aims to “address the root causes of the conflict” and find an “effective resolution,” which would logically follow the restoration of state authority.

“These points are clearly stated in the Doha Declaration of Principles,” he added.

The Doha Declaration was signed on Saturday in Qatar between representatives of the DRC government and the AFC/M23 rebels, marking a significant step towards ending years of conflict in eastern Congo.

The agreement is part of ongoing peace efforts facilitated by the State of Qatar, with support from the United States, the African Union, and regional bodies such as the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

Following the June 27 Washington agreement between Rwanda and the DRC, Rwanda’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs welcomed the Doha signing as “a significant step forward towards the peaceful resolution” of the conflict in eastern DRC. The ministry praised Qatar’s mediation role and called for continued support to conclude the peace process.

Rwanda reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable peace and economic development in the Great Lakes region, stressing the importance of addressing the root causes of conflict to restore security and stability.

July 20, 2025
Sudan denounces new EU sanctions as legally unfair

It is “not possible to equate” the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) with “outlawed rebel armed groups,” read a statement by the ministry, urging the EU to adopt a more balanced approach that takes into account Sudan’s unique national circumstances.

On Friday, the EU adopted sanctions against two individuals and two entities affiliated with the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), including asset freezes, prohibition of the provision of funds or economic resources, directly or indirectly, and travel bans.

Sudan remains gripped by a conflict between the SAF and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, both internally and across borders, deepening the country’s humanitarian crisis.

July 20, 2025
U.S. rejects amended WHO health regulations

U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a joint statement to formally reject the WHO’s 2024 International Health Regulations Amendments.

The statement accused the amendments of being “vague and broad” in terminology, claiming that U.S. agencies “put Americans first in all our actions” and “will not tolerate international policies that infringe on Americans’ speech, privacy or personal liberties.”

The pact, which was adopted in Geneva in June 2024, aims to ensure that drugs, therapeutics and vaccines are globally accessible when the next pandemic occurs.

July 20, 2025
Davis Cup 2025: Rwanda tennis team to battle it out with 14 nations in Gaborone

The tournament will bring together 15 nations competing in Africa’s Davis Cup Group V, the continent’s lowest tier in the prestigious global competition.

Team Rwanda features a strong line-up including Niyigena Étienne, Hakizumwami Junior, Ishimwe Claude, and David Manzi Rwamucyo. The squad is under the stewardship of head coach Habiyambere Dieudonné.

Before they departed from Kigali on Saturday, the players received the national flag from the Minister of State in the Ministry of Sports, Rwego Ngarambe, in a symbolic send-off ceremony.

The matches will be staged at the National Tennis Centre in Gaborone, with the 15 teams divided into three pools: one group of three teams, and two groups with four teams each.

This year’s participants include: Botswana, Cameroon, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, Madagascar, Lesotho, Ethiopia, Libya, Mauritania, Mozambique, Seychelles, Sudan, Congo Brazzaville, and Djibouti.

To determine which two teams will earn promotion to Group IV, playoffs will be held between the top team in Group A and the top team in Group D, as well as between the winners of Group B and Group C.

Rwanda dropped to Group V following a tough outing at the Davis Cup 2024 in Angola, where it finished bottom of Group B behind Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Kenya.

That 2024 squad, also coached by Habiyambere Dieudonné, included Habiyambere Ernest, Niyigena Étienne, Hakizumwami Junior, and Muhire Joshua. The team won only one of nine matches in the group stage and lost 2–1 to Angola in the relegation playoff.

Cameroon also suffered relegation from Group IV in 2024, finishing last in Group A, home to Senegal, Algeria, and Angola, before falling 2–1 to Kenya in the playoffs.

Rwanda’s best Davis Cup campaign came in 2019, when the national team, featuring Havugimana Olivier, Niyigena Étienne, Habiyambere Ernest, Uwizeyimana Mathieu, and guided by coach Rutikanga Sylvain, secured historic promotion to Group III.

July 20, 2025
Musk reveals plans for ‘Baby Grok,’ xAI’s upcoming AI app for “kid-friendly” content

The tech billionaire revealed the plans in a brief post on X, but no further details or launch timeline were provided.

The new app is expected to offer kid-friendly AI content, a notable shift from the more controversial aspects of xAI’s current offerings.

“We’re going to make Baby Grok @xAI, an app dedicated to kid-friendly content,” Musk wrote on Sunday.

The announcement follows criticism directed at xAI after the release of an adult-style AI avatar named Ani in the Grok app.

Ani, a sultry-voiced anime character dressed in revealing clothing, sparked widespread concern among parents and online users for reportedly responding inappropriately to minors, even when Kids Mode was enabled.

Baby Grok appears to be Musk’s attempt to reassure users and reposition xAI as a safe platform for younger audiences.

This pivot also comes as tech rivals move to secure their stake in the growing market for child-focused AI tools.

Google, for instance, recently announced it is working on a child-friendly version of its Gemini AI assistant.

The Gemini app for kids will reportedly help with homework, storytelling, and answering questions, all without advertising or data collection, to emphasise learning and creativity in a controlled environment.

Meanwhile, xAI has continued to rapidly evolve its core product. Earlier this month, the company released Grok 4, its most advanced language model to date, featuring a multi-agent architecture and expanded capabilities.

Grok remains central to Musk’s vision for integrated AI across his platforms. The chatbot is currently accessible through X, Grok.com, and mobile apps, and comes with premium tiers that unlock advanced features, including Grok 4.

July 20, 2025
BPR Bank Rwanda celebrates 50th anniversary with clients in Eastern Province

The event took place on the evening of Friday, July 18, 2025, in Kayonza District. It was attended by customers representing others from the districts of Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, Kirehe, and others who came from Gatsibo District.

Xavier Shema Mugisha, Executive Director Commercial Businesses at BPR Bank Rwanda, expressed delight at joining the customers of the Eastern Province to celebrate the achievements of the 50 years since BPR Bank Rwanda was founded, especially as they were celebrating in the place where the bank originated. He assured customers that the bank will continue to get closer to them and support their development.

Eulade Bayingana thanked BPR Rwanda for helping him progress from working at a car wash to buying a car, all with the support of this bank.

Rehema Uwamahoro expressed gratitude to BPR Bank Rwanda for giving her the courage to take out a loan and improve her life.

“It encouraged me, gave me courage to take a loan. Now I have reached this point, whereas before I used to be afraid and stay behind at home. But they encouraged me to take a loan and improve myself,” she said.

Jean de Dieu Nkurunziza, Head of the Private Sector Federation (PSF) in the Eastern Province, thanked BPR Bank Rwanda for taking the time to celebrate with their customers.

He pledged cooperation on many projects where businesspeople need funding and encouraged the bank to get even closer to them and collaborate more.

John Bosco Nyemazi, the Mayor of Kayonza District, said that the fact that this bank started in their district means a lot both for the district and for BPR Bank Rwanda.

He said, “It is an honor to have the unique distinction that the history of this bank began in our district. Now we are pleased that they are coming back to the source to renovate where it all started along with many other great planned projects.”

Patience Mutesi, the CEO of BPR Bank Rwanda Plc, thanked BPR Bank customers in the Eastern Province.

She said that currently, they have the capacity to provide a customer with up to 40 billion Rwandan Francs.

“Kayonza District is historic for BPR Bank Rwanda because it is where our bank started. We remember and cherish this, which is why we are here to thank you for being with us. Today, we are a major investment institution in the East African Community [EAC], and we are here to help you develop. We have many excellent services that can assist everyone who comes to us, both those requiring collateral and those who do not,” she noted.

BPR Bank Rwanda was founded on August 4, 1975, in Nkamba village, Ruramira sector, Kayonza District as a cooperative. It later became Banque Populaire du Rwanda, which merged with KCB Bank Rwanda Plc to become BPR Bank Rwanda Plc.

July 19, 2025
Umwalimu SACCO secures Frw 50 billion to boost teachers’ housing access

This new loan complements the initial Frw 20 billion agreement signed between BRD and Umwalimu SACCO in early 2023, bringing the total amount injected into the program to Rwf 50 billion. Initially, the program aimed to benefit approximately 1,900 teachers, but due to high demand, over 5,000 teachers have already received housing loans under “Gira Iwawe.”

Gaspard Hakizimana, Chairperson of Umwalimu SACCO’s Board of Directors, emphasized that the additional Rwf 30 billion will significantly improve teachers’ ability to access home loans.

“This loan will continue to boost the Gira Iwawe initiative and enable more of our members to secure permanent housing without struggle,” Hakizimana said.

He expressed deep appreciation to BRD for increasing the loan amount, noting the positive impact of the previous funding and the responsible use of the initial Frw 20 billion.

“We are pleased with the strong partnership with BRD, which allows us to continue providing Gira Iwawe loans to our members. It is a major step in improving the well-being of Rwandan teachers,” he noted.

Umwalimu SACCO now counts over 160,000 members, with around 5,000 new members joining in 2024 alone, all serving in various capacities within Rwanda’s education sector.

The members of Umwalimu SACCO who attended the meeting discussed the future of the cooperative.

The Chairman of the Board of Umwalimu SACCO, Gaspard Hakizimana, stated that the 30 billion Rwandan Franc loan granted by BRD will continue to help members acquire homes.

July 19, 2025
‘Kigali Streetball’ festival makes comeback after 18 years

Kigali Streetball is a dynamic basketball festival that blends basketball games with dance performances, rap music, and other entertainment.

Participants will compete in various activities including singing, basketball matches played in diverse styles, and dancing.

Speaking to members of the press on Thursday, July 17, 2025, alongside supporting artists such as Bulldogg, Trizzie Ninety Six, B-Threy, and Angell Mutoni, MC Murenzi highlighted several new elements attendees can look forward to.

“This time, Kigali Streetball will be a renewed event featuring various fresh elements. We decided to keep it at Petit Stade because it’s a familiar place where the event was traditionally held and well-known. Hosting it elsewhere would be expensive, requiring the construction of a stage and other infrastructure,” he said.

MC Murenzi also noted that talented participants from neighboring countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burundi, and even Canada will join the event. Although they invited women’s basketball teams to participate, only one team registered, which posed some challenges.
“We encouraged individual female players to register,” he added.

The competition will reward the winning team with Frw 800,000, while individual players will receive Frw 200,000 each. MC Murenzi confirmed that since presenting the event concept to the Rwanda Basketball Federation (FERWABA), it has been warmly received and supported.

Eight teams will compete in a knockout format, with matches played to 21 points.

MC Murenzi further revealed a new collaborative song featuring artists including Bushali and P-Fla, which will premiere during the event. The track will spotlight rappers competing in the contest, with plans to update the song annually to feature new standout artists.

The revived Kigali Streetball is scheduled for July 19–20, 2025, with performances by artists such as Bull Dogg, B Threy, Bushali, Angell Mutoni, and others.

Tickets will cost between 5,000 and 15,000 Rwandan Francs, with discounts for advance purchases. Interested attendees can purchase tickets online.

Originally launched in 2006, Kigali Streetball had been dormant since 2007 when it was last organized by Contact FM on the initiative of Albert Rudatsimburwa.

MC Murenzi recently disclosed that preparations for this year’s event have already cost over Frw 40 million.

July 19, 2025
Discover Antigua and Barbuda, the Caribbean nation that recently waived visas for Rwandans

This landmark move reflects a growing spirit of diplomatic and economic cooperation between the two nations. Rwandans can now explore this tropical paradise with ease, while citizens of Antigua and Barbuda are also free to visit Rwanda under the same arrangement.

This development may pave the way for broader collaboration, including the possibility of RwandAir launching direct flights to the Caribbean as early as next year.

Should negotiations succeed, Rwanda’s national airline could play a key logistical role in connecting the two regions, particularly ahead of the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Antigua and Barbuda is set to host.

Though Rwanda is often viewed as small in size when compared to its East African neighbors like Uganda, Tanzania, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, it shares many demographic similarities with nations outside of Africa. One such country is Antigua and Barbuda, a vibrant Caribbean nation that spans just 442 square kilometers, making it the 14th smallest country in the world.

With a population of just over 105,000 people, it also ranks among the least densely populated countries globally.

The country consists of two main islands, Antigua and Barbuda, along with around 50 smaller islets scattered across the Caribbean Sea. Its capital, St. John’s, lies on Antigua, the larger island, while Barbuda covers about 160 square kilometers. The capital city itself occupies a compact 10.5 square kilometers.

Most of the population, around 87%, is of African descent, a direct result of the transatlantic slave trade. Other ethnic groups include people of European, Indian, and South American origin.

Christianity is the predominant religion, with nearly 97% of the population identifying as Christian. A small segment, around 3.6%, practices Rastafarianism, while others follow diverse traditional and spiritual beliefs.

English is the official language, but the local Antiguan Creole adds a vibrant, informal touch to everyday communication. Phrases like “Wah gwan?” (How are you?) and “Tank yuh” (Thank you) offer visitors a warm taste of local culture.

Antigua and Barbuda’s economy relies heavily on tourism, which accounts for nearly 60% of its GDP. The country’s tourism tagline, “One Beach Per Day,” comes from its remarkable offering of 365 beaches—enough for every single day of the year. Visitors flock to these sun-drenched shores for their beauty, serenity, and the welcoming spirit of the people.

Among the nation’s cultural treasures is the UNESCO World Heritage-listed Antigua Naval Dockyard, home to preserved 18th-century British naval structures that speak to the island’s colonial past.

Beyond history, the islands offer vibrant coastal towns, marine parks, and lush scenery that highlight the richness of the Caribbean landscape.

The local cuisine draws from its Afro-Caribbean heritage. Signature dishes like Ducana and Saltfish (sweet potato dumplings with salted cod), Fungi and Saltfish (a polenta-like dish served with fish), and hearty Pepperpot stew give a delicious insight into island life.

The best time to visit Antigua and Barbuda is between December and April, during the dry season. Temperatures range from 22°C to 25°C, offering perfect weather for outdoor activities. This period also aligns with Christian festivities such as Holy Week, which are celebrated vibrantly across the islands.

When it comes to safety, visitors can expect a peaceful experience. While tourism is the backbone of the economy, Antigua and Barbuda also benefits from financial services, construction, and a small manufacturing base. Agriculture contributes only a modest 3% to GDP, which means the nation imports a significant portion of its food.

For investors, Antigua and Barbuda presents numerous opportunities, particularly in tourism and hospitality, construction, renewable energy, and financial services. As ties with Rwanda strengthen, and direct connectivity becomes a possibility, new partnerships and ventures could emerge across both sides of the Atlantic.

July 19, 2025
Rwanda welcomes signing of Declaration of Principles between DRC and AFC/M23

The declaration was signed on Saturday, Juny 19 in Doha, Qatar, under the facilitation of the Qatari government, with backing from the United States.

The Rwandan government lauded the agreement as a significant development in advancing regional peace and security, noting that it builds upon recent momentum, including the Peace Agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington last month.

“Today’s declaration in Doha is a significant step forward towards the peaceful resolution of conflict in eastern DRC, by addressing the root causes of the conflict and restoring security and stability in our region,” read a statement released by the Government of Rwanda.

Rwanda also acknowledged the pivotal role played by Qatar in mediating the discussions, alongside support from the U.S. government. The efforts were commended as a continuation of Africa-led peace initiatives, including those by the African Union (AU) and the joint efforts of the East African Community (EAC) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC).

“The Government of Rwanda appreciates the crucial mediation role of the State of Qatar with the support of the United States Government, which builds on the efforts of the African Union, as well as the joint EAC/SADC initiatives,” the statement added.

Rwanda reiterated its commitment to supporting the peace process and contributing to long-term stability and prosperity in the Great Lakes region.

“We all have to support the continuation of progress to the conclusion,” the government urged, reaffirming its dedication to sustainable peace and regional economic development.

The DRC was represented by President Félix Tshisekedi’s envoy, Sumbu Sita Mambu, while AFC/M23 was represented by its Executive Secretary, Benjamin Mbonimpa. Both parties signed the principles in Qatar on July 19, 2025.

Key elements include a mutual agreement to a permanent ceasefire and refraining from seizing new territory, preparation for the release of detainees on both sides, facilitation of voluntary refugee repatriation, and the protection of civilians.

Both parties also agreed that restoring state authority across all regions of the country would help address the conflict through a peace agreement, and thus committed to discussing mechanisms to make this possible.

The DRC Government and AFC/M23 pledged to begin implementing these principles immediately upon their announcement on July 19, or within 10 days of signing.

They also agreed to launch comprehensive negotiations within 10 days of beginning implementation of the principles. These talks will be aligned with the peace agreement signed between Rwanda and the DRC in Washington on June 27, 2025.

Finally, both sides agreed that talks leading to a concrete peace agreement should be treated as a priority and carried out in a spirit of collaboration and mutual understanding, with the final agreement to be signed within a minimum of seven days and no later than ten days after talks begin.

July 19, 2025